Sertraline and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• lis...
• February 3, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was so worried about side effects as my anxiety is based around health anxiety. I have been on them for 12 weeks, so here are my side effects: I had a week of needing a number two and needing to go immediately, it was very loose. I had extreme tiredness which lasted 2 weeks, and for the first 2 weeks, I didn't have much of an appetite. I had night sweats which lasted the longest of all the side effects. At 5 weeks, the only side effect I have is I find it takes me longer to climax. I sweat more than I used to. I have had 3 times where I have talked myself down from a panic attack - which is great considering before, I was having a panic attack a day and I couldn't even talk myself down from one. Week 5 was my turning point, I felt amazing, the things I worried about seemed a distant memory, and I could function properly without this worry on my shoulders or working myself up resulting in a panic attack. Please be kind to yourself. I wish you all the best in your journey to better mental health."

• Mr ...
• April 30, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "27-year-old from the UK, Carlisle, on 50mg Sertraline. This medication is excellent. I have tried: Prozac (impulsive & diarrhea), Mirtazapine (5-stone weight gain), Citalopram (severe depression resulting in a constant stream of suicidal thoughts, NEVER AGAIN!), Venlafaxine (severe anxiety and nervousness), Amitriptyline (sedation). I have been on this for 2 weeks. When it started working, I felt happy and calm. I didn't wake feeling angry and fed up with life. My memory has improved, and my sleep has improved. I can go outside, which I was unable to do before. I don't comfort eat, I don't ruminate over negative things, I'm interested in my hobbies again, and I am more outspoken and unafraid of confrontation. It is out of this world! Keep trying and don't give up. You will wake up one day out of this waking coma and see the color of reality again, just keep trying different medications. No matter what, keep going! I have been depressed and anxious for years, this has truly saved me from oblivion."

• ner...
• June 7, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I am a pharmacy technician and been one for over a year now. I had developed GAD due to my job, and it was then taking over my life and mental health. I started losing weight fast. Second time having an anxiety panic attack at work and got sent home early due to my body going to fight or flight mode. My doctor then quickly prescribed sertraline 25mg. Finally, I read all the reviews, and it gave me so much hope that I wasn’t alone. For the first few days, I had the runs every morning bad, increased anxiety all the time, insomnia in the morning, hot flashes during the night, some jaw clenching for the first two days. By week two, all the side effects lifted. By week three, I didn’t notice too much, but my mood was so much better. I finally started eating happily, playing with my family more, sleeping well, and even working out! I finally feel normal again BUT better. Please know that you are not alone, and keep pushing. I am only taking 25mg, and it really does make a difference!"

• Lis...
• February 10, 2020

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I am in my 40s and I suffered a panic attack for the first time while driving. My friend said try Zoloft, so I saw the doctor for it. I kept a log first entry dated May 1, 2018. Day 1 on Zoloft: 'I felt tired, a little dizzy, brain fog - woke up a couple of times feeling weird, not myself. I had stomach upset and diarrhea.' Day 2: 'I woke up feeling like a zombie. I was very tired, no emotion, but I had to get up. When I was driving & came to a stoplight, I felt very anxious.' 'I hope I'm making the right decision to start meds but do I have a choice???' Day 3 & 4: '...felt tired, having brain fog. My stomach is rumbling & a little nausea but it is manageable.' Day 8: 'I woke up feeling tired and right now I feel a little anxiety.' Day 17: 'It's been over 2 weeks & I am driving with little to no anxiety!' I have been on Zoloft 25 mg for 2 years now. Because of reading other people's reviews, I knew what to expect & that kept me going!"

• Bet...
• July 16, 2010

Sertraline for Depression "I started taking 50mg generic sertraline about 2 weeks ago. I have had a very good experience with it and I love it. Thank God for this medicine and the improvements that it makes on the brain chemistry. Only experienced diarrhea for 1 day (which was okay for me because I've always struggled with constipation which only contributed to fatigue and depression). I'm more social (before I didn't care about doing much, even though I wanted to go out, when it came time to, I would end up going to bed), more easy going, less irritable and cranky. So much more patient with my kids. No side effects for me. Oh and I'm not eating ravenously at night because of stress and anxiety like I used to so it's helping me lose weight. Yay!"

• Mir...
• September 9, 2018

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I promised myself that I would write a review and try to help someone else if the medicine worked, and boy did it!! This is truly a miracle pill. It helped me with everything, including my panic attacks, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and OCD rituals. I’m free again, able to live a calm life. I will say the first few weeks were brutal. I had every side effect: nauseous, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, some minor hair loss, and more. I prayed this pill would help me, and it did. Before it, I had no quality of life and, to me, the side effects were worth it. I stuck it out for 3 months, and I’m back to my old self and even better. I had very dark days. The fear was paralyzing, and I couldn’t function. I couldn’t get through the day without my Xanax 0.25 frequently and now Xanax free! I started with 50mg for a month and then 100mg for 8 weeks. Today, I’m working, exercising, being the mom I want to be, and taking stress better. My panic suffering is over. Thank you Lord and Thank you ZOLOFT!"

• Jim...
• August 18, 2013

Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I went years without getting help until about 8 months ago when I finally broke down, saw a doctor, and was prescribed Zoloft. This pill has given me my life back. I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, specifically intrusive/disturbing thoughts and obsessions. This disorder occupied all of my time and energy, to the point where life was unbearable and hopeless. About two weeks after starting Zoloft, there were noticeable improvements. After 6 weeks, I was a different person. Anxiety-0, OCD still there but more of a minor inconvenience than life consuming. Side effects were typical at first: nausea, diarrhea, lightheadedness, and insomnia. All of which subsided after a few weeks. I highly recommend that if you are diagnosed, ask for Zoloft."

• Sed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2025

For Anxiety and Stress "I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and stress, combined with severe depression. It arrived to the point I could not function normally anymore, I could not sleep, I could not work, life was just impossible. My GP decided to put me on sertraline 50 mg, one pill per day. I had all possible side effects during the first two weeks: severe anxiety, severe insomnia, severe suicidal thoughts, loose stools... You name it, and I had it. Then, by the third week, it started to get somewhat easier, I was even able to go out a little bit. Week after week, I noticed some subtle changes, and I got better and better. But the process is definitely very slow, it took two months to get sertraline's full effects. The most important thing is that my GP insisted that I couple sertraline with full EMDR-Tapping Therapy, which has literally saved my life. My advice is to be patient, when you are at rock bottom, things can only get better, and sertraline will help you a lot."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I started sertraline on September 9th, 25 mg for two weeks, then 50 mg for two weeks, moved to 100 mg for two weeks, and finally on October 25th, started 150 mg. All I can say is the first 4 weeks were horrible. I experienced every single side effect: constant nausea, migraines, diarrhea, anxiety/panic attacks, shakiness, tremors, heart palpitations, sweating, lack of appetite, blurred vision, dry mouth, no energy, and insomnia. Sometimes by the end of week five, I started feeling improvement, and for about a week now, I feel incredible. I finally got my life back, this is the old me that I didn't experience for the last year and a half. I am so grateful for this medication, I can say it's saved my life. All I can say is stick to it, don't stop taking the medicine. You will feel worse before it gets better. Keep in contact with your doctor for instructions, and read what people are posting. That's exactly what I did day after day, and that's what kept me going."

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2022

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I’m a 32-year-old female that started taking Zoloft a week ago! Your comments really helped me to even start taking it, so thanks to everyone that left a review because I’m scared of medicine. I am to leave a review in hopes to help someone like me! I started on 25mg but broke it in half to get it into my system for one week, and I will move up to my 25mg. But my experience so far: I have had sleepless nights, headaches, diarrhea. I haven’t really been hungry, but y’all, don’t let that scare you like it did me. I’m telling you, even on a small dose I can tell a small adjustment already, and I will be back in another week to update y’all on the dose increase, but take a leap of faith and try it. I can already tell I’m feeling somewhat better just in a week! We are all in this together!"

• Meh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2024

Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was terrified to start medication, I knew the side effects by heart, I knew the potential for 'permanent damage.' But after getting to a point of take it or losing yourself completely, I took the first pill of 25 mg for one week, up to 50 mg for the next week. I did suffer a crash midway through the second week and went to the hospital with a nervous breakdown, but it was just one day. I strongly debated stopping, I even did skip two doses before deciding to give it a chance. It took 6 weeks of really fighting to start having days that were not bad, and 8 weeks before I finally felt the click. I take 75 mg of Zoloft and 25 mg of Bupropion a day. I had diarrhea for the first week upon each dose increase, but that was about it as far as side effects. I've lost some weight, and my appetite is lower. Stick with it. Give it a month to a month and a half. Don’t quit! I got my life back!"

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2016

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Maybe my experience can help someone else. I have just completed a 30-day supply of Zoloft. My anxiety has been debilitating since my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in October of 2015. It became so bad that I was becoming bedridden, afraid to leave my home. As a mother of 3 and a wife and daughter, my family needed me and I wasn't able to be there. I finally told my husband and parents I needed to seek help. After a therapy session and a visit with my family doctor, I was given Zoloft. I received it on a Tuesday but was so afraid to take it, I didn't take my first one until Friday (I had read a few bad drug reviews, so I knew some things I could expect, but chose to focus on all the success stories for motivation). For three weeks, it was rough. Also must note, during this time we were hit with Hurricane Matthew which didn't help and I believe set me back a few days. My side effects were tummy aches, diarrhea (sometimes 4 or 5 times a day), a few hot flashes, a couple days of feeling like a zombie, and I had 2 bad panic attacks. I know this sounds horrible, however, my opinion is that I felt as though I had hit rock bottom which is why I turned to medication. I already felt bad, so my commitment was to see this medicine through to the 4-6 week mark as instructed. If I had stopped taking it, I still would have felt horrible, that is what my life had become. With the wonderful support of my children and husband, a lot of take-out food, and my parents helping to take and pick up my kids from school, I am SOOOOOO thankful I stuck with it and made it to the 4-week mark. I feel like I'm getting my life back. It is worth everything you go through. In full disclosure, some people get no side effects. My 20-year-old son has been on Zoloft for a year and never had one side effect. I wasn't that lucky and seemed to have most. Please give yourself the chance. You will read over and over again to stick with it until 4-6 weeks. You must do yourself that favor. Surround yourself with support if you can and just do it. I'm so blessed to have my life back!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

For Depression "I have been on sertraline for about 4 months. I had horrific side effects for 2 days including more severe depression, intrusive thoughts, nausea, diarrhea. I persevered after reading reviews on this site. I didn’t feel any different for maybe 2 months, but now I feel amazing! I feel the best I ever have and I only had mild depression. I walk around with a smile on my face, no longer feel anxious in social situations and nothing seems insurmountable (and I went through recovery from surgery, a breakup and living with my ex through COVID lockdown on this medication). It’s a game changer for me! I’m on 50mg/day. Give it time to work because it’s worth going through the horrific side effects to feel like I do. Just make sure you chose a good time to start (i.e. not a busy time at work or similar) because you may have to take a few days off work. Make sure you have support."

• Pyr...
• January 8, 2020

For Depression "Sertraline has changed my life for the better. It was a living nightmare getting through the first 8 weeks of side effects. I almost gave up several times, they were so bad. I experienced explosive diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, overeating, extreme tiredness, insomnia, loss of sex drive, inability to orgasm, loss of all emotion, and severe anxiety. I had to take time off work to deal with the physical and emotional side effects of this drug. I also had to have someone come and stay with me. Despite the terrible side effects, it has made me feel like myself for the first time in 10 years. Thanks to this drug, the negative thoughts in my head are locked away in a dungeon somewhere, and crying no longer rules my life. I feel happy, strong, confident, motivated, and finally at peace with myself. I know this drug is not for everyone, but it works for me, and if I can encourage anyone to just buckle down through the side effects...you'll make it to the other side."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 6, 2017

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Zoloft 25-150 mg for over 2 years. This has been the BEST 2 years of your life. Let me say that it took at least 90 days to really kick in and side effects to abate. If you have spent YEARS obsessed about your every action and thought, fearful and angry, depressed the 90 days of side effects is NOTHING. NOW if you want to keep living the way you are living because of dreams, diarrhea, INITIAL loss of appetite and weight loss then so be it. Improvement takes time. I was a 10-year Paxil user. Have TRIED lithium, Prozac, Luvox, tegretol, Xanax, Valium, Alcohol, illegal drugs, supplements, buspar, Klonopin and on and on. ZOLOFT gives me a chance at life. I am still me with growing up issues at 50 plus but man, this ZOLOFT is the deal."

• Ivy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Where to start! I had been diagnosed at 55 with GAD, had it since I was 7. I am now 60. I had a meltdown in mid-September, akin to a breakdown. I wanted to die, the hole was so deep and dark. Doc prescribed me sertraline and over 3 weeks increased dose to 150mg. Believe everything you read about this drug, the side effects were horrific: mind like a washing machine, intrusive thoughts, grueling insomnia, no appetite for 8 weeks, diarrhea, sweating. I truly thought there was no way out, and because you don’t have a GP on speed dial, reading and rereading forums about this drug to comfort me in the knowledge that it works… Good news! It appeared to kick in, for hours at first, then a day here and there, nothing permanent, but I found myself humming to the radio or watching the Telly with no intrusive dark thought. For me, it did take the 12 weeks, and if you are willing to persevere, it is truly worth it… you’ve come this far reading my experience, you can do it!"

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "It ended the vicious cycle of despair, rage, and sadness for me. While I’ve selected Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), I was prescribed this for PMDD and later discovered through blood testing that I was suffering from thyroid disease. It’s uncertain if BPD, PMDD, or thyroid is the cause of my mood swings, but here is my experience either way: Pros: no longer suffering from emotional outbursts, impulsive or compulsive behavior, no negative thoughts, bitterness, fear, rage/sadness/despair, or anxiety, am sleeping better, socializing well, feeling HAPPY (omg!), noises and textures are less… sensory? (Think misophonia). Cons: a couple of weeks of diarrhea, sweats, nausea, tiredness, and ongoing but mild jaw clenching. For anyone with BPD, you may be interested to know this drug has given me the stability and emotional strength to view my relationships objectively. Identifying abuse and walking away from the toxic individuals who have kept me trapped in this cycle of dysfunction."

• Lou...
• September 5, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "I've been on the generic sertraline 50mg for about two weeks, and I feel so much better. I was very depressed, irritable, had insomnia, and felt like a total failure at life. I had a little diarrhea at first, but then I also have IBS so I wasn't surprised. After a few days, that stopped. I feel like my old self again, like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I'm even singing again, I haven't done that in about a year. I was in denial for a long time, I told myself I could handle the depression - I was wrong. This is the first antidepressant I've been on, and I am very pleased with how much it has helped me."

• Mor...
• July 9, 2021

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "My friend recently lost her child, and as a mom, it hit me very hard. I constantly worried and had irrational thoughts that something would happen to my daughter. I couldn’t drink caffeine or work out. I felt anxious, shaky, dizzy, and I had palpitations all the time for nearly three weeks prior to starting Zoloft. I could not do anything that I normally did without anxiety, my heart racing, and panic attacks nearly every day. I felt hopeless and heavy, as though I would never get out of my funk. I started taking Zoloft around two and a half weeks ago. Initially, I had terrible nausea, belly pain, shakiness, light-headedness, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. That has slowly subsided over around one and a half weeks. My appetite is still not back 100%, but I am so much happier, no panic attacks in over a week. Slowly, I am feeling more like myself and as though the wall between myself and the world has lifted. This medication takes time and patience, but it is so worth it. God bless!"

• BAa...
• May 22, 2015

Sertraline for Depression "Absolutely changed my life. I am a 20-year-old female who has struggled with depression and irritability since roughly 13. I tried meditation, I tried the 'power of positive thinking', I tried listening to podcasts, I tried counseling. Nothing helped me until Zoloft. I've been taking Zoloft for 5 weeks. I had minor side effects for the first couple of days (looser stool, headaches, stomach aches) but nothing I couldn't handle, and they went away after 2-3 days as I got used to the medication. I'm currently taking 50 mg and don't plan on increasing. I feel overall happier. I'm not as irritable, and things that I used to hate (going to work) are no longer even bad. I feel more myself, and like I'm not afraid to be outgoing. Highly recommended."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I started taking Zoloft on July 19th, 25 mg. No real side effects, felt a little better within 24 hours. On the 4th day, a little diarrhea. Today is July 30th. Feel pretty calm and happy, no overthinking things, good so far."

• rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

Sertraline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I'm a 33-year-old male with PTSD. I was recently retriggered, leading to hyper-vigilance, anxiety, and panic attacks with derealization. After a couple of weeks of suffering through it, I opened up again, got into therapy, and started on 25 mg of sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft). The first couple of days were brutal: worsened panic, tremors, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. My doctor decided to cut my dose down to 12.5 mg for the first week, and the side effects improved dramatically until finally petering out by the end of week 3. Those first weeks, I would read reviews here to boost my morale and decided I'd write a review myself if/when the medication started working, so here I am. I'm a little over two months in now, and I'm really feeling like myself again: connecting with friends/family, taking joy in the things I do, and actually, you know, participating in my own life (go figure). It's a slow but steady process. Hang in there."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2024

For Depression "I have been taking 75 mg for 8 weeks. I started on 25 mg and upped to 50 mg after 1 week. After 5 weeks it leveled out and the psychiatrist upped my dose to 75 mg. For the very first 2 weeks, anxiety and depression were worse. I was tearful and felt off balance. I had 2 very depressive days within these two weeks. Then, things gradually started to improve and the side effects (night sweats, increased anxiety and depression, nausea, and diarrhea) wore off. The diarrhea lasted about 5 weeks and the night sweats still happen occasionally but are a small trade-off for the life quality I now have. On this drug, I can feel all emotions. I can concentrate, have my appetite back, and want to go out and meet people and be active. This medicine has given me my life back and taken away the pain, which I can only describe as a deep 'soul pain.' Combined with EMDR therapy, meditation, and sport, I know I'm on the right track."

• Gen...
• September 11, 2019

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I finally asked about going on meds for anxiety after a rough year of being victims of a home invasion and our house flooding. I wanted something to take the edge off as I felt like any little thing would send me spiraling. My doc prescribed 25mg of Zoloft. The first day I felt a little high and had diarrhea. The second day I felt tired. The third day I slept through the night for the first time in months. I felt like a new person. Then the exhaustion crept in, the worst being exactly a week in. It felt like someone put a wet blanket over my brain. I read the message board and felt encouraged to keep going. Today marks exactly a month on Zoloft. The spiraling is no more. I don’t fixate on issues like I used to, and even when our dryer died and a pipe on our softener burst in the same week, I felt like I handled it well. All in all, I’m thankful I tried this as I’m hoping it gets me back to seeing that, despite some unfortunate circumstances, I’m very blessed and should enjoy every moment."

• Tab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking Zoloft for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety for going on 5 months now. The first two weeks taking it were genuinely the worst two weeks of my life; all I could do was sit in bed all day, every day, and even that was too much for me. I completely lost my appetite, lost 15 lbs in two weeks. I constantly had diarrhea, an increased heart rate, anxiety 100% of the time. Week 3 came around, and I felt a shift start; things started to get better, slowly. By week five, I was able to do things I hadn't been able to do in years! I've had pretty bad anxiety surrounding making phone calls my entire life, and now I don't! Not every day is totally great; no pill can guarantee that, but my life feels livable again. I promised myself that if Zoloft worked for me, I'd come back to this website and write a review. During those first two weeks, I used to scroll through this website for HOURS, and reading positive reviews is what got me through it."